KelvinsRightGlove

Yeah probably about this. Batman/TDD

I can't remember precisely which one, but in one of the interviews he gave over the summer he alluded to this. When asked about transfers, he said something along the lines (apologies I can't remember the precise wording) of: "That's Les Reed and the recruitment team's job. I'm not too involved in that side of things". He's also made comments such as "I'm just the hockey guy". Thinking about this, Ralph has done a fair few interviews over the Summer. I can't think of many other CEO/Chairmen (I forget which he is, sorry) that have given quite as many. Coupled with Reed's numerous interviews, I think there actually has been a fair amount of communication coming out of the club. Even Koeman is a lot more open and forthright than Poch was. Never really understood this communication vacuum that was muted on here. What did people want, a blow-by-blow account of communications? I'm fine with deals being announced when they are done - as things can go wrong or not happen right up until the minute they are finalised. Which I'm sure would only lead to more wailing anyway. Sorry, gone off on a bit of a tangent there.

I don't really think Ralph has a great deal of input in our transfer deals.

Hope it goes to general sale. Somehow doubt it will.

Because fans weren't already making a lot of noise prior to Chambers? People were already wailing the day after the Man Utd game when talk of bids for Lallana and Shaw were in. Then when Poch left, and Lambert, and Lovren. People were kicking up a lot of fuss throughout. Krueger said he wasn't discussing transfers with Spurs, or was that one of his many 'lies'. I said in another post we most likely ever know exactly what went on over this summer, in my opinion I don't think the board made a sudden change of plans because of people getting upset on the internet. Speaking from experience of going through a sh*tstorm online, people on the outside think they have all the information (they never do) and link things together (that are not connected) and think they effected the outcome (they rarely do). Maybe I am wrong, and it was all the fans getting angry on here/facebook/twitter etc that changed the boards plans - but for me that is overestimating fans influence.

Following on from that (sorry if it's the one you were referring too) - the Luke Shaw video where he got a call from "Roy Hodgson" was pretty funny I thought.

Good assessments. Agree with both of you on these points. Chambers was WTF, but still not really that sold on the idea that people getting het up on here or wherever made the board do such an about turn over Morgan & JRod if I am honest.

Like it.

SVE

Agree with this.

Still not entirely sure what went on at the start of the summer. In isolation I could pretty much understand the outgoings, granted I agree Chambers seemed a strange one. I am a bit disappointed the team fell apart, I do feel with a few additions that team could have done good things. If just Shaw, Osvaldo and Lambert (much as it hurt seeing a legend go like that, I find it hard to begrudge the bloke) had left and we added say Bertrand, Toby, Tadic, Forster & Pelle - that squad looks pretty darn strong. But anyway, we should move on. Disappointed Poch left, don't get why he is suddenly not that good a manager, he did a very good job here. That said, I was very pleased with Koeman. Did help settle some nerves and was reassuring after starting to wonder what the point was, or if this was all we could hope for. He has impressed me all along so far. I'm still not really sure what much more the board could have done. Yes, the departures were disappointing but I don't think it's quite as simple as just saying no to all of them as some suggest. There will be a lot of things none of us know about, as there always is in these situations, so it's probably hard to really judge. I really don't think you can have a squad with 5-6 players not wanting to be there. Think Reed has done a good job getting the players in, took a lot of stick but the squad is looking decent now. Much better than I had thought at one point for sure. Sure, he may have had some input from Koeman in identifying targets - but I still imagine Reed will have been pretty instrumental in getting the deals done (I can't see Ralph being overly involved if I'm honest). Don't really think we are far off in terms of individual quality, though will need to see some a bit more. Tadic looks useful hopefully he can improve once he gets into the groove of PL football. Toby A has a decent pedigree, and Forster looks a very solid keeper thus far. Excited to see how Mane performs, don't know a huge deal about him - but even in a poor league his stats are impressive. Think Pelle will be alright, if perhaps not spectacular. Still unsure on Long. Bit disappointed with Gaston going today, but very pleased Morgan & Jrod are still in the building. Suspect it may well be the last season we see them here, which is a shame. I've long held the view that Morgan is our best player. Things look good at the moment, pleased to hear Koeman saying cups are a target too. I predicted us to finish in the group of 15th-10th position, would probably say top end of that now. Asset strip

Was that Adkins/Poch?

Double post.

I keep going back to the OP and just :lol:ing Clearly they wern't the only posts or posters coming out with this. But, wow.

Nope. It's easy. Alpine with his nonexistent knowledge of football* transfers said so. *probably just football would suffice.

Utter prats outside Everton, waving a dïlldõ around and hitting the reporter in the face.

...Prat

Should alderweireld and mane sign that's what, £60m on total? All it would prove is the muppets on here were right all along, the board really are useless.

Asset Strip Relegation Deluded for thinking otherwise Thank god the transfer window madness is nearly over, even if it is just for a few months.

Rapid, apparently. Can't claim to know a great deal about him myself in all honesty.

Yeah, I imagine our scouts would know about them. Thanks for the replies.

Thanks man.

Pelle obviously, Tadic I can see. What's the link with Toby A & Mane? Not trying to be confrontational (tone can get lost on here), genuinely interested.